During disasters or large scale incidents the Butte County OEM coordinates the overall response through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). When activated, the EOC provides a central location for responding and supporting agencies to collaborate response and recovery efforts in order to effectively and efficiently provide information and deploy resources. In non disaster times the Butte County OEM supports and coordinates disaster planning, community preparedness, mitigation, and training.

Home Insurance Finder

Many California residents have a hard time finding home insurance because of local fire risk. If you're looking for home insurance, try the Home Insurance Finder to receive multiple insurance quotes, a consumer buying guide and a home value estimate.

What if I need to evacuate?

Be familiar with routes in and out of your neighborhood and community. Practice driving these routes during the day and at night.

Do you live in one of the evacuation zones? Communities in South Butte County, as well as the Town of Paradise and Magalia, have pre-identified evacuation zones due to their population density for flood and fire respectively.

Maintain awareness during developing emergencies. If you feel threatened, don't wait for an evacuation order. Also alert family and neighbors.

Promptly follow the instructions and evacuation orders given by public safety officials.

What Does it All Mean?

Immediate Evacuation Order:

Requires the immediate movement of people out of an affected area due to an imminent threat to life. Choosing to stay could result in loss of life. Staying may also impede the work of emergency personnel. Due to the changing nature of the emergency, this Immediate Evacuation Order may be the only warning that people in the affected area (s) receive.

Evacuation Warning:

Alerts people in an affected area (s) of potential threat to life and property. People who need additional time should consider evacuating at this time. An Evacuation Warning considers the probability that an area will be affected and prepares people for a potential Immediate Evacuation Order.

Shelter-In-Place:

Advises people to stay secure at their current location by remaining in place as evacuation will cause a higher potential for loss of life.

Public Assembly Point:

A temporary assembly area that provides a safe haven for evacuees to assemble until conditions subside and evacuation routes are accessible, or for evacuees who otherwise cannot evacuate the community on their own and need assistance to be moved to a shelter. NOTE: Evacuees who are capable of evacuating on their own to designated shelters or other areas outside of their community do not need to go to Public Assembly Points unless directed by public safety officials.

When can I go back home?

You may not be able to get back into the area for several hours or several days depending upon emergency conditions. Public safety officials working with utility companies and other agencies must ensure that the area is safe for residents to return, considerations include ensuring the fire or other emergency has been abated, hazard trees removed and utilities restored or secured to name a few. Stay informed for news of when the threat is mitigated and access is given to residents with identification.

Flood Evacuation Zones in South Butte County

There are 11 Flood Evacuation Zones in South Butte County. The zones cover the Cities of Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, and the surrounding unincorporated communities from the Oroville Dam south to the Butte County line on both sides of the Feather River. Each Evacuation Zone includes a recommended Evacuation Route, Public Assembly Point, and Evacuation Center. Zones can be viewed by clicking on of the links below or on the interactive map.

Oroville area, (View Zone 1)
Community Meeting March 24th at 6:00 pm at the Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Avenue, Oroville

FEMA and the International Association of Emergency Managers define Emergency Management as; “…the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.” Butte County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to providing a comprehensive Emergency Management Program supporting all functions of emergency management to build disaster resistant communities.

Emergency Management Functions

MitigationMeasures to reduce the likelihood of occurrence, or reduce the damaging effects of the hazard. These activities should be done prior to an incident.

PreparednessPreparedness activities increase a community’s ability to respond when a disaster occurs. Emergency response plans, evacuation plans, family communications plan and assembling a family disaster kit are just a few examples of preparedness.

ResponseActions taken immediately before, during and after a disaster to protect human lives and property from damaging effects. For individuals, it is being able to act responsibly and safely to protect yourself and your family from the impacts of a disaster event.

RecoveryActions taken to return community to normalcy. For catastrophic events this may take years.